Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines for Iowa State vs West Virginia

West Virginia might be 3-2, but after wins over Kansas and Oklahoma State it’s 2-0 in the Big 12 with the next two home games the make-or-break moment of the season.

If you beat Iowa State and then Kansas State, you have a chance to win the Big 12 Championship.

Even though Iowa State is 5-0, their only good win was in the last second against Iowa. The defence has been great, and the offence has been good enough. If they win this, they will be qualified for the bowl season, and three of their next four games will be at home.

Iowa State vs West Virginia Preview

Iowa State vs West Virginia How to Watch
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
Game Time: 8:00 pm ET
Venue: Milan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, WV
How to Watch: FOX
West Virginia (3-2), Iowa State (5-0)

Why Iowa State Will Win

How healthy are the quarterbacks for West Virginia? Garrett Greene, a starter, hurt his shoulder against Oklahoma State, and the Mountaineers’ running game was the key.

There were a crazy 65 runs by the Mountaineers, and they got 389 yards, or six yards per carry. But Iowa State’s defence should be able to hold up a bit better. Even though it got hacked, it still won when Iowa and Houston were taking yards in chunks.

The Cyclones give up the fewest receiving yards in the Big 12, so if the Mountaineers can get to 200 yards, it will be a surprise.

It is getting tougher for Iowa State’s offence on the line. Great job by the front five on pass defence, the running game has gained at least 237 yards in all three games, and…

Why West Virginia Will Win

The Mountaineers are doing fine.

What Iowa State does is not really magic. It does not make mistakes and blocks and attacks well. It is second in the Big 12 in terms of fewest penalties and first in terms of fewest errors.

This week, West Virginia finally stopped giving the ball away and won the turnover ratio for the first time all year against Oklahoma State. It is now No. 1 in the country for fewest penalties.

Iowa State might be good at blocking and hitting, which is why the lines are important. But West Virginia’s strong offensive front is a big plus that can take over for long stretches.

So it’s this simple …

Iowa State vs West Virginia: Who Will Win

Both teams will run the ball well, and both defences will step up at key times. Both teams will also need to win the turnover battle, or at least not lose it by a lot.

Iowa State has a +7 record in turnovers this season, so they probably will not have any big problems. However, West Virginia should be fine if they can really win the turnover battle.

The home field edge is important in this case. West Virginia will be able to run the ball well enough to get one of the biggest wins under Neal Brown.